Prices slashed for first generation Surface tablets

Microsoft is whacking prices on Black Friday for its first generation Surface Windows RT tablets as well as for Windows 8 laptops and Xbox consoles.

While Microsoft has had a tough time putting a dent in Apple’s tablet share, one thing for sure is that Microsoft will be discounting its devices more than Apple this holiday season (last year Apple shaved $30 or $40 off its iPads). With Microsoft rolling out the new Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets and the Xbox One, older models can be had on the relative cheap come midnight on Thanksgiving. And those models have already had their prices chopped this year.

Microsoft’s sneak peek of its Black Friday deals (which seem to be hidden again on Wednesday, Nov. 20) showed a 32G Surface RT going for $199, $150 off the regular price (and $349 for the 64GB model). If you want a keyboard thrown in, Staples will have the 32G model available on Black Friday for $250.

Microsoft is peddling a Dell Inspiron 15Z with an Intel Core i5 processor and 6GB of RAM for $399 ($450 off the usual price). A 14-inch Samsung Ultrabook and a 15.6-inch Gateway laptop will also feature big price cuts to be revealed as the week goes on.

Xbox 360 with 250GB of storage costs $199 vs. the usual $249. Popular new Xbox games can be had for deep discounts, like Call of Duty: Ghosts for $40 instead of the usual $60.

Bob Brown is a news editor for Network World, blogs about network research, and works most closely with our staff's wireless/mobile reporters. Follow him on Twitter at Alphadoggs and connect via email at bbrown@nww.com